Realignment: Schools in flux as Stratford rises

HIGH SCHOOL REALIGNMENTDistrict 24-4A teams scrambling for opponents now to fill out schedules

L. SCOTT HAINLINE, Chronicle Correspondent

Published
6:30 am CST, Thursday, February 28, 2008

THE ramifications of Stratford being allowed to remain in Class 5A in District 18-5A are being felt by numerous schools, especially the five left that will form 24-4A, and one has even turned to Mexico to fill its preseason schedule.

"It's had a domino effect," Terry football coach Tim Teykl said. "It's really put the district in a quandary and the schools are still deciding what to do. We were shocked that it happened, but we'll make the most of it."

Heading into this week, Lamar Consolidated football coach Lydell Wilson was searching for a 10th game and trying to avoid a two-week open period during weeks five and six.

"Stratford was our first district game, and it was turned into an open date, and we had another open date the week before that," Wilson said. "Trying to find a game in week five at this point is pretty much impossible, but we're trying to figure something out."

The defending state champion Mustangs scrimmage once against Willowridge, and have predistrict games with Texas City, Elkins, Pasadena Memorial and Hays Consolidated lined up, along with four district games for a total of nine, for now.

"We kind of expected Stratford would stay in Class 5A, but we thought another schools would be moved into our district, but it didn't happen," Wilson said.

"We have an option to possibly drop our second scrimmage, which is on Zero Week, and find another game, and that would give us 10 games," Teykl said. "We're still looking at our options."

Foster found a 10th regular-season opponent south of the border, or rather, they found the Falcons.

"We were contacted about our open date by a school in Monterrey, Mexico, La Prepa High School, that has played some UIL teams in the valley like McAllen Nikki Rowe," Foster football coach Mark Wiatrek said. "They were interested in playing us and traveling to Traylor Stadium the next two years, and we're trying to make it happen.

"It was a crazy week, and not knowing if Stratford would stay in our district or go 5A was the craziest part. We heard something different every day leading up to the decision."